Microsoft launches Visual Studio 2010, .NET Framework 4

Microsoft is starting off a string of developer-oriented events by launching two of its main developer-oriented products Monday: Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4.

The next version of Visual Studio, with which developers can create applications for Microsoft’s platforms, includes the “ribbon” interface from Office and built-in tools for Windows Azure programming, Microsoft said. It also provides a platform with which developers can build apps for Windows Phone 7, the mobile operating system Microsoft plans to launch for the holidays.

Visual Studio also integrates with Silverlight 4, which Microsoft said it will release later this week.

The new version of the .NET Framework, according to the company’s Sunday news release, “adds additional support for industry standards, more language choice, new support for high-performance middle-tier applications including parallel programming, and side-by-side installation with .NET Framework 3.5.”

More information on Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 is available here.

The launches come on the same day Microsoft will unveil a new line of smartphones from its Sidekick-making subsidiary, Danger – a project codenamed Pink. Check back to The Microsoft Blog soon for that news.